OCR A Level History A England 1445–1509:
Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII (Y105/01)
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
June 2026 – Afternoon
A Level History A
Y105/01 England 1445–1509: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must
be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer Question 1 in Section A. Answer either Question 2 or Question 3 in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
, 2
Section A
Wars of the Roses 1445–1461
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘Richard, Duke of York’s reaction to the birth of Henry VI’s heir demonstrated his loyalty.’
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view. [30]
Source A: Extract from a contemporary chronicle written by a vicar in the mid-fifteenth
century, but probably copying another work by an exceptionally well-informed Londoner who
was possibly Clerk to the Signet.
The king became very ill at Clarendon and, although he eventually recovered, his sickness lasted a
long time. On 13 October, 1453, Edward, son of King Henry VI, was born at Westminster and baptised
with great solemnity. When the royal council realised the king’s health was not improving and feared
the ruin of the realm under the duke of Somerset’s governance was imminent, the magnates of the
kingdom sent for the duke of York who came to the council with a small retinue. The duke of Somerset
was charged with treason on many counts and this evil man arrested. In February, 1454, Parliament
made the duke of York lieutenant of the realm.
Benet’s Chronicle
Source B: Extract from a contemporary chronicle written by a London lawyer and judge who
also served as an elected notary of the city before dying in 1461.
In the summer of 1453, the king suddenly lost his wit and reason. On October 13, the queen had a
prince, on account of which bells rang in every church and Te Deum* was solemnly sung, though the
people spoke strangely of this birth. The duke of Somerset was committed to the Tower as a prisoner
and soon afterwards the duke of York was made protector of England and the earl of Salisbury
chancellor and they honourably ruled and governed. On January 26, 1455, the duke of Somerset was
taken out of the Tower and, as a result, the duke of York gave up the king’s sword and ceased to be
protector.
*Te Deum – a hymn praising God, sung on special occasions
Bale’s Chronicle
Source C: A letter sent from London to the duke of Norfolk, describing events there and
included in the correspondence of a prominent Norfolk gentry family.
At prince Edward’s coming to Windsor, the duke of Buckingham took him in his arms and presented
him to the king, but the king gave no answer. The queen desired the king to bless her son but she,
too, departed without any expression from the king. The duke of York will be in London next Friday
night with his household retinue, well-attired and likely men. The earl of March comes with him with
another good fellowship of men, with jackets, helmets and other armour. The earls of Salisbury,
Warwick, Richmond and Pembroke come with the duke of York, too, each with a goodly fellowship of
men while the earl of Warwick will have a further 1000 men awaiting on him, too.
Paston Letters, January 19, 1454
Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII (Y105/01)
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
June 2026 – Afternoon
A Level History A
Y105/01 England 1445–1509: Lancastrians, Yorkists and Henry VII
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
You must have:
• the OCR 12-page Answer Booklet
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question numbers must
be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer Question 1 in Section A. Answer either Question 2 or Question 3 in Section B.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an asterisk (*).
• This document has 4 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer.
, 2
Section A
Wars of the Roses 1445–1461
Study the four sources and answer Question 1.
1 ‘Richard, Duke of York’s reaction to the birth of Henry VI’s heir demonstrated his loyalty.’
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view. [30]
Source A: Extract from a contemporary chronicle written by a vicar in the mid-fifteenth
century, but probably copying another work by an exceptionally well-informed Londoner who
was possibly Clerk to the Signet.
The king became very ill at Clarendon and, although he eventually recovered, his sickness lasted a
long time. On 13 October, 1453, Edward, son of King Henry VI, was born at Westminster and baptised
with great solemnity. When the royal council realised the king’s health was not improving and feared
the ruin of the realm under the duke of Somerset’s governance was imminent, the magnates of the
kingdom sent for the duke of York who came to the council with a small retinue. The duke of Somerset
was charged with treason on many counts and this evil man arrested. In February, 1454, Parliament
made the duke of York lieutenant of the realm.
Benet’s Chronicle
Source B: Extract from a contemporary chronicle written by a London lawyer and judge who
also served as an elected notary of the city before dying in 1461.
In the summer of 1453, the king suddenly lost his wit and reason. On October 13, the queen had a
prince, on account of which bells rang in every church and Te Deum* was solemnly sung, though the
people spoke strangely of this birth. The duke of Somerset was committed to the Tower as a prisoner
and soon afterwards the duke of York was made protector of England and the earl of Salisbury
chancellor and they honourably ruled and governed. On January 26, 1455, the duke of Somerset was
taken out of the Tower and, as a result, the duke of York gave up the king’s sword and ceased to be
protector.
*Te Deum – a hymn praising God, sung on special occasions
Bale’s Chronicle
Source C: A letter sent from London to the duke of Norfolk, describing events there and
included in the correspondence of a prominent Norfolk gentry family.
At prince Edward’s coming to Windsor, the duke of Buckingham took him in his arms and presented
him to the king, but the king gave no answer. The queen desired the king to bless her son but she,
too, departed without any expression from the king. The duke of York will be in London next Friday
night with his household retinue, well-attired and likely men. The earl of March comes with him with
another good fellowship of men, with jackets, helmets and other armour. The earls of Salisbury,
Warwick, Richmond and Pembroke come with the duke of York, too, each with a goodly fellowship of
men while the earl of Warwick will have a further 1000 men awaiting on him, too.
Paston Letters, January 19, 1454
